Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said tonight that there was “absolutely no doubt” that his side could get the win they need at Stamford Bridge next week to reach the League Cup final, after their best performance of the season saw them push Chelsea in a hard-fought draw at Anfield.

Rodgers said he was bitterly disappointed that his side had not been awarded one of the two penalty shouts he claimed they were denied, after Chelsea had gone ahead with a spot-kick of their own. Diego Costa seemed to handle the ball the ball while on the ground in the area moments before half time, though the other penalty Rodgers claimed was for Thibaut Courtois handling outside the area, which at best would only have been a free kick – albeit with a possible dismissal for the Belgian goalkeeper – if the referee had punished it.

“I was so disappointed we never got at least one penalty,” Rodgers said. “It is a clear handball by Costa so how we didn’t get that. Their goalkeeper who had to be outstanding has handballed it outside the area so it is a penalty. You see defensively how we were, aggressive, compact [tonight.] They have got top-class players. I thought the performance tonight was a benchmark. There is ab no doubt we can go to the second leg and get the performance we need.”

Five things we learnt from Liverpool v Chelsea

Five things we learnt from Liverpool v Chelsea

1/4
Mourinho trusts Hazard to park the bus

At 23, Eden Hazard is still young. There is no doubt that he has plenty to learn but what can be said is just how much he already understands. Last season Jose Mourinho bemoaned the Belgian's lack of effort and how he was not doing enough defensively. This season Mourinho has found it difficult to criticise a player who is quickly becoming Chelsea's best. In this fixture against Liverpool, he benefited from Emre Can's tensity to leave his defence and storm forward. It could be argued that Hazard could have exploited the space left by Can a little more. The best quality a forward can have, besides scoring, is to frighten defenders to the point where they feel so devoid of confidence they make costly mistakes. Hazard, with his quick feet and superb balance, has the ability to draw the worst out of defenders. Can was an easy target. When the Belgian jinked into the Liverpool penalty area, the German brought him down and a penalty was given. Hazard converted. With 12 goals in 27 games he is becoming more integral than ever before.

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2/4
Sterling can shine through the middle

In some ways it is unthinkable that a player who is only 5ft 5inches is able to cause so much havoc in the middle of an attacking three. Raheem Sterling, however, has the ability to do just that. For large parts of last season he played as an inside forward and relied on the overlap of Luis Suarez when he reached the opposition's penalty area. The role which was so exquisitely occupied by Suarez is now where Sterling is his enjoying his football the most. He is stronger, too. Significantly, though, it is his pace and close control that still allows Sterling to be so dangerous. The lead up to his goal which levelled the tie in the 59th minute demonstrated that. Nemanja Matic failed to get close to him and Gary Cahill was already looking at Sterling's studs as the striker glided into the box before placing his shot past Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal.

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Mikel finally gives Mourinho an alternate blueprint

Jose Mourinho's Plan A consists of Nemanja Matic playing behind Oscar and Cesc Fabregas. Jose Mourinho's Plan B has John Obi Mikel alongside
Matic with Fabregas playing above them. Plan B is how Mourinho chose to play Liverpool. For about an hour it worked. When Chelsea were attacking, Matic was allowed to push forward with Fabregas but Mikel remained deep just in case Liverpool were to break quickly on the counter attack. Plan B in its nature is defensive and that became apparent when Liverpool's three-man attack of Steven Gerrard, Sterling and Philippe Coutinho tried to work various openings on the edge of the Chelsea box. Matic and Fabregas both helped to pressure one of the three into making a mistake and Mikel dropped back to become the third central defender. It was efficient and Mikel in particular seemed to be comfortable in a position where he is best suited. Unfortunately, no plan is immune to sheer unpredictable brilliance. It was not immune to Sterling and lightning bolts of pace.

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4/4
Chelsea will not win on away goals

If the second leg of this fixture finishes 0-0 on the night next Tuesday at Stamford Bridge then Chelsea will go through to the Capital One Cup final on away goals scored. The odds of that happening are 10/1. It is not going to happen. Expect an enthralling affair. Chelsea will be more attacking and Liverpool will use the counter attack to utilise the pace of Sterling. Mourinho conceded that allowing Liverpool back in the game has subsequently made a "two leg semi" now a "one leg semi".
He said: "The draw, the goals away are not important so 0-0 is not good for us and 2-2 is not good for Liverpool. We have to win. Liverpool have to win. A one-leg semi played at Stamford Bridge."

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Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard was fundamental to the quality of their play, hitting the post and drawing a save from 40 yards out, from Thibaut Courtois. When Jose Mourinho, a long-time admirer who tried to sign Gerrard in the summer of 2005, was asked if would be tempted to buy him when he leaves Anfield, he jokingly replied: "Or perhaps to take him on loan?” He added: “I would love the Premier League to keep the best players and I believe he has the quality to play for more years."

Though Liverpool struggled to convert their incisive football into a goal in the first half, the equalising second half goal by Raheem Sterling was sublime, leading Rodgers to reflect on the value of him having been given a two-game break with his family.

“The rest has done him the world of good,” Rodgers said. “He was outstanding. He has that ability to move in behind but he can also exploit the space in front. His speed was frightening to come in and finish, wonderful goal. He certainly deserved that. It was a big performance from us. It is always difficult they sit in a low block, the spaces are closed and especially if you go 1-0 behind. They know how to defend. They will be happier in terms of the scoreline but I am happy our performance levels are improving all of the time.”